#593 SHAYMIRI GEAR SOLID

Where am I? Who am I?!

I’m Shaymiri, Princess of the Demon Isle.

I know who I am. I’m just so shocked and confused. 

I don’t know where I am, other than the fact that this isn’t the Demon Isle.

I arrived here upon clinging to Ritheseus’s just before he cast the teleportation spell. I don’t know how to get back home because I know nothing about teleporting.

...Oh, right!

What about Ritheseus?

If his magic brought me here, he must be somewhere nearby!

“...”

There he is!

I knew he was close by!

I didn’t notice it in my panic, but he’s right here, back facing me!

H-He already knows, doesn’t he?

There’s no place to hide when we’re this close. Moreover, I clung to him tightly while we were on the move. There was no way he wouldn’t have noticed!

H-How am I going to weasel my way out of this?

Ah, I know! This was all an accident, yes! I happened to trip and fall while taking a walk, and there was Ritheseus! Then at that very moment, the spell was activated!

...That sounds like a stretch.

I have no choice but to get down on my knees and apologize! But just when I was about to position myself and slam my head hard on the ground...

“Ahh! Finally back on the farm!” 

?!

Huh?

I thought the words Ritheseus suddenly uttered were directed at me, but no. He still has his back facing me...

...Has he perhaps not noticed I’m here? 

“Ahh, I thought something was clinging to my waist during the transfer, but I guess I was just imagining things! Mhm! I can’t even feel my torso through these thick clothes! No wonder I had the illusion that someone was clinging to me because of air pressure or something! Yup!”

I knew it!

It’s hard to believe, but Ritheseus hasn’t noticed I’m right behind him!

It’s somewhat insensitive of him not to notice me despite how I clung to him, but doesn’t this make things convenient for me?

After all, this is his base, right?

I have the best chance in the world to uncover the secret of his strength since I was able to infiltrate unnoticed!

...But it also annoys me that he hasn’t noticed I’m here.

Doesn’t that mean he doesn’t notice me = he’s not aware of me = he thinks nothing of me?!

“...”

“Gah!”

I was so pissed off that I unintentionally kicked him a little!

He’s definitely going to notice this time!

“Ugh...It’s one of those leg spasms due to a chronic disease again. Sure happens a lot!”

Still nothing?!

Thank goodness he’s slow in the head!

“Ahh, they’ve gathered promising young humans, demons, and mermaids here at the farm and gave us elite education. Thanks to that, I’ve grown a lot.”

What?!

It was a very explanatory line, but that confirms my theory that the secret of Ritheseus’ strength lies in this land!

“I bet if I go to the farm now and observe a class, I can learn many new things again. This place is a waypoint, so it’s a little far from the home base.”

I see!

I shall stealthily take my leave and head for that so-called home base before he notices and restrains me!

With hushed footsteps... Gyah! I tripped!

My cover’s definitely blown now...Or not! Ritheseus is too busy enjoying the view in front of him! 

Okay, for real now... escape success!

* * *

I’ve successfully infiltrated the farm.

I’ll begin my thorough investigation and unravel the secret behind Ritheseus’ strength!

According to his monologue, the farm’s base is located some distance from where we arrived...

...Oh, I’m beginning to see an area that matches his description.

These must be...fields. The plants are so tidily aligned that you can tell at a glance that human hands have cultivated them.

You cannot find such vast farmland in one place, not even on the Demon Isle.

Mm...!

This place is not to be underestimated...!

But for now, I have to find the ‘special class’ or whatever Ritheseus called it. 

I thought I’d easily find it, but seeing this vast place, I’m starting to doubt that.

Still, the tall crops growing in the field should give me ample room to hide!

It’s time to show off my stealth skills.

“...”

“Ahh!”

And then, suddenly, I see a wall in front of me!

Wait. That’s no wall; that’s a person!

No, a human-like...monster?

It’s an orc! 

There are even orcs in this land... This place must be under the demon race’s control, after all!

And that means trouble!

If the orc finds me, their master will be immediately informed and I will be captured in a heartbeat!

“...Hey, what should we do?”

Two orcs are talking to each other, looking down at me.

They speak fluently for anthropomorphic monsters.

“If it’s a confirmed intruder, we can respond instantly. Search and destroy, you know? A swift death for a vegetable thief is Our Lord’s motto.”

“But doesn’t the girl look too foolish to be a thief? She didn’t even bother to hold her breath despite that glaring appearance. If anything, it would be more appropriate to say she lost her way...”

“You think someone could accidentally wander into this farm in the middle of nowhere?”

“The chances are never ze- Sorry.”

They’re so deep in talk, ignoring me! 

Okay, I’m going to take advantage of the opportunity and get away.

“I advise you not to move if you don’t want to get hurt.”

“O-Okay...!”

The orc beat me to the punch and pointed his axe at me! 

Our short exchange tells me that this orc is far stronger than I am!

“Hey now. Don’t frighten the poor girl too much.”

“R-Right...!”

“We orcs get teased by the students for approaching young girls that there are now rumors saying we’re trying to assault them. If that spreads, things will only be bad for us.”

“Who even started spreading this false rumor that orcs assault girls and impregnate them?! Ohh, I so want to bury my first in their face!”

I’m getting a glimpse of these good orcs’ troubles!

“We’re dealing with a girl who is trembling with fear. We must be cautious, or the rumors will only worsen!”

“Damn it, how did we get into this tough situation... we just came here to weed the fields!”

It looks like the orcs are having trouble how to deal with me.

If that’s the case, I still have a chance at surviving.

“I-I’m...!”

“Yes?”

“I’m one of the students undertaking special education! I got a little lost and ended up here!”

How’s that?

I managed to create a setup based on what little information I had and faked my identity!

It’s a brilliant idea that I came up with on the spot!

“...Was there a student like her at the farm?”

“Doubt it. I don’t claim to remember the exact faces and names of all the students, but she has too much of a different vibe from the rest of the demons.”

They saw through me so quickly!

What now? Are they going to catch me?! 

“Still, if you really are a student, I advise you to go to the open-air class right away. It’s probably going on as we speak.

“W-Well, that’s a problem! If I’m late, I’ll lose my perfect attendance award!”

“...You can drop the act now.”

The orcs look dumbfounded.

“We’ll lead you there. You probably don’t even know where the class is being held anyway.”

“A-Are you sure? You can tell I’m a suspicious person, right?”

“Would you rather continue arguing with us here and be labeled a trespasser instead?”

“Allow us to escort you like gentlemen!”

I don’t know what’s going on, but I think I’ve found my way to my destination!

I’m impressed with my infiltration skills!

“Oh, and...”

One of the orcs picks a crop growing nearby.

“You can have this while you’re at it. It would be a shame to come to the saint’s farm and leave without tasting anything.”

“Go on, give that tomato a try.”

I don’t get what was happening, but I took a bite of the fruit they offered me. 

?!

It’s good!

Oh my, it’s so juicy! What is this?! It tastes so fresh and rich in flavor despite being raw!

It’s so gooooooooooooooooood!